Restoring peace on the continent, helping to rebuild economies, and ensuring adequate and affordable energy supplies are Europe’s main goals for the year ahead. Now, more than ever, it is necessary to bridge differences to achieve stability and prosperity for citizens.

2023 brings with it many questions that need to be answered.

War, energy, climate and economic crises
It is impossible to say when and how the war in Ukraine will end.

Both Kyiv and Moscow are trapped in a static and mutually intolerable conflict. The price to be paid could be high for all parties involved as the world grapples with the economic and social consequences of Russia’s intervention. Diplomacy must play an active role if peace is to be achieved.

The economic consequences of the war in Ukraine are a second but no less important challenge.

Record energy price hikes, soaring inflation, shortages of raw materials, rising debt levels and borrowing costs are affecting business activity and reducing household purchasing power. These challenges require swift and concerted action to preserve economic stability.

In October, the ECB raised interest rates again and said that further increases are planned to combat rising inflation. Its president, Christine Lagarde, warned of an imminent recession in the eurozone. Now more than ever, coordinated action is needed to ensure affordable energy, preserve economic stability and protect vulnerable households, while maintaining stable public finances.

Tackling the climate crisis remains a top priority for 2023.
The historic agreement reached at COP 15 in Montreal includes concrete steps to reverse the loss of nature. The plan also proposes to increase aid to developing countries.

Europe will have to build on this first step if it wants to change the course of the planet and create jobs and prosperity.

Migrants continue to flee war and poverty. Europe’s migration policy divides European governments. Brussels has announced a plan to better coordinate the EU’s response, a first step towards real and joint reforms.

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Johnson said he “understood the strength of the Greek people’s feeling” about the sculptures after Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis raised the issue during the talks.

But the British leader emphasized that the decision in this regard rests with the British Museum, which houses the marbles.

What is the Elgin marble?

The marbles – 17 figures and part of a frieze that adorned the 2,500-year-old Acropolis monument – were taken by Lord Elgin, the British ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, in the early 19th century. Britain claims that Elgin acquired the sculptures legally when Greece was ruled by the Ottomans.

MEPs from 12 different European countries gathered last year to call on Johnson to return the frieze.

Mitsotakis went so far as to suggest that Greece would be willing to lend other ancient treasures in exchange for the marbles.

The request for return is backed by the UN

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson says the UK is the rightful owner of the Leon Neil/Pool orbs via AP
“The obligation to return the Parthenon sculptures rests entirely with the United Kingdom government,” Oikonomou said. He added that Greece’s request for intergovernmental talks on the issue was supported by the UN cultural agency UNESCO.

Greece has said that the new Acropolis Museum, opened in 2009, will be used to display the sculptures if they are returned.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis confirmed on Friday that the Parthenon sculptures from the British Museum should be returned to Athens and called for negotiations with the UK to achieve this goal.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said in March that Britain is the rightful owner of the Parthenon marbles, rejecting Greece’s ongoing request for the return of the 2,500-year-old sculptures.

“The United Kingdom must move to a good faith dialogue with Greece, and I urge them to do so,” Mitsotakis said in a speech in Paris.

“The obligation to return the Parthenon sculptures therefore lies squarely with the UK government,” he said.

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NATO leaders were set to present a more united front on Day 2 of the alliance’s 70th anniversary summit, saying they stand together for collective defense
Tuesday’s opening was tense, with sharp talk between the U.S. and French presidents and public disagreements over military spending, Turkey and Baltic defense strategy.
The second day of the summit focused on burden-sharing, the rise of China, and readiness, officials said.
At the closing press conference, the NATO Secretary General emphasized the commitment of NATO leaders and spoke about adapting to modern threats
NATO leaders were set to present a more united front on the second day of the alliance’s 70th anniversary summit on Wednesday after a public fight overshadowed the opening.

At Wednesday’s closing press conference, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg reaffirmed the leaders’ commitment to collective defense and the fight against terrorism.

Asked about the leaders’ public statements, Stoltenberg said that “disagreements always attract more attention,” but that is the nature of democratic nations.

He added that the leaders discussed engagement with Russia and the rise of China.

The Allies committed 30 battalions, 30 squadrons and 30 warships within 30 days. He said they also agreed on space as NATO’s next area of focus.

On 5G networks, Stoltenberg said: “we agreed to rely only on secure and resilient systems.” Experts have expressed concern about the involvement of the Chinese company Huawei in building these networks.

Stoltenberg also spoke of a “dialog” with Russia, saying that NATO needs a “better relationship” with the country.

French President Emmanuel Macron echoed this sentiment at a press conference. He said that not everyone considers Russia an “enemy” and that while Russia is a “threat in certain areas,” it is also a neighbor and partner in other areas.

Attempts to show unity
Arriving at the summit, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said of NATO: “We have much more in common than we have in common.”

After the official handshake ceremony, Stoltenberg called it “the most successful alliance in history.”

He emphasized the progress made by the allies in burden-sharing, recalling that Europe and Canada will jointly spend $400 billion (€360 billion) on defense by 2024.

The remarks followed Trump’s accusations on Tuesday that allies are “criminal” for not spending as much on their militaries as the United States.

“We stand firm in our commitment to NATO,” Johnson said as he opened the formal meeting of NATO leaders.

“History shows that peace cannot be taken for granted, and even as we celebrate this anniversary, we must make sure that our actions match our words,” Johnson said.

“We must never shy away from discussing new realities, including NATO’s response to new threats such as hybrid warfare and disruptive technologies, including space and cyber,” he said.

Earlier on Wednesday morning, Stoltenberg told reporters that the second day of the summit, marking the 70th anniversary of the alliance, would also discuss China’s rise and readiness for the first time.

Expectations from the NATO talks
In formal talks following a reception at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday to celebrate NATO’s 70th anniversary, European leaders led by Germany and France aimed to tell Trump that they will not be treated as junior partners when confronting global conflicts.

“If we are investing money and risking the lives of our soldiers… we must be clear about the foundations of NATO,” Macron said on Twitter, adding that he would “defend the interests of France and Europe” on Wednesday.

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